“Le, dear boy!” cried the squire, seizing the youth’s hands and shaking them cordially.
“You here! What a surprise! How glad I am to see you! I thought you were in Europe. When did you return? How are my aunt and cousins? And how is Odalite? And——”
“Softly, Le. Softly, dear lad. One thing at a time. We have just arrived from Europe, and we are all well. And here is a friend of yours whom you are forgetting,” said the squire, taking the young man’s arm and leading him back to where the earl stood.
“Lord Enderby! How glad I am to see you! This is another joyful surprise. You are looking so well, too. Quite recovered your health, I hope,” said Le, cordially shaking the hand the earl had given him.
“Quite recovered, thank you,” replied the latter.
“Where are you stopping, Uncle Abel?”
“We are stopping at the old place where we boarded six years ago, when we first came to Washington. And we have been following you about for the last twenty-four hours,” replied Mr. Force.
“And to think I have passed that hotel at least a dozen times within a day without knowing that you were there! What a surprise! And you say Odalite is quite well?”
“Odalite and all are quite well.”
“I am so glad to hear that! And to know that they are all so near! When can I see them?”